Scuba Diving in Koh Tao
The Ultimate Guide
Koh Tao — literally “Turtle Island” — is a compact jewel in the Gulf of Thailand that has become Asia’s mecca for learning to dive. Its sheltered bays and offshore pinnacles host a surprising variety of marine life: coral gardens alive with parrotfish and angelfish, rocky domes where barracuda and trevally swirl, and the occasional whale shark gliding in from the blue. Warm, clear water and a laid‑back island vibe make it ideal for beginners, but seasoned divers will still find thrills at deeper sites like Chumphon and Southwest Pinnacles.
Difficulty
Easy
Temperature
27–30°C
Visibility
5–30 m
Diving Highlights
Best Months to Dive
Getting to Koh Tao for Diving
✈️Transportation
There is no airport on Koh Tao, so all visitors arrive by boat.
From Bangkok you can book a bus‑and‑ferry or night‑train‑and‑ferry combo to Chumphon or Surat Thani;
the bus journey takes around 7–8 hours and the train offers comfortable sleeper berths.
From the pier a high‑speed catamaran continues to Mae Haad on Koh Tao, taking about two hours.
A faster but pricier option is to fly to Koh Samui or Chumphon Airport and connect to the ferry.
Once on the island, most dive shops are based around Sairee Beach and Mae Haad, just a short walk or scooter ride from the pier.
Country
Thailand
Currency
Thai Baht
Electricity
220V, 50Hz, plugs A/B/C (compatible with European/American two-pin plugs)
Cost of a Dive Trip in Koh Tao
Day Trip
Meal
Accommodation
Best Dive Sites in Koh Tao
🐠Chumphon Pinnacle
A series of submerged granite pinnacles 11 km northwest of Koh Tao. Depths range from 14 m to over 40 m and the tops are carpeted with anemones. Huge schools of yellowtail and chevron barracuda, snapper and batfish circle the dome, while banded boxer shrimp and pipefish hide in the cracks. Whale sharks are often seen here in April and May.
🐢Southwest Pinnacle
Clustered pinnacles rising from 5 to 30 m create a stunning landscape dotted with sea anemones. Large schools of trevally, fusiliers and batfish cruise above, while groupers and moray eels shelter in the rocks. Macro lovers will find boxer shrimps and Durban dancing shrimps hiding among the coral heads.
🦈Green Rock
A jumble of boulders forming arches, swim‑throughs and tunnels at depths of 5–30 m. Expect batfish, angelfish and butterflyfish cruising around the overhangs, plus hawksbill and green turtles nibbling on sponges. Titan and yellow‑margin triggerfish nest here during breeding season.
🐙White Rock
Two large rock formations separated by a sandy channel, sloping from 2 m down to 22 m. It boasts a coral garden alive with parrotfish, triggerfish and angelfish, with schools of yellowtail barracuda above. Turtles, groupers, moray eels and sea snakes are common, and night dives reveal Spanish dancers and basket stars.
🐚Twins Pinnacles
Three small pinnacles in shallow water (5–20 m) make this a sheltered training site. It is home to clownfish, butterflyfish, bannerfish and juvenile batfish. Artificial structures on the sand provide buoyancy practice platforms. Look closely for seahorses and nudibranchs among the soft corals.
🦑Japanese Garden
A shallow reef (1–16 m) on the north side of Koh Nang Yuan with pristine coral gardens. It’s popular with snorkelers and beginner divers for its clear water, table corals and friendly reef fish. Moray eels, sea snakes and cuttlefish are also seen.
🐡Shark Island
Named after its silhouette rather than the presence of sharks, this is a small granite island south of Koh Tao. Slopes and ridges from 0–28 m are covered in hard corals and sponges, attracting butterflyfish, angelfish, sweetlips and the occasional turtle. It’s suitable for all levels.
What Divers Say About Diving in Koh Tao
Alex Thompson
Marine Biologis / DivemasterKoh Tao may be small but underwater it punches well above its weight. At Chumphon Pinnacle we descended into a tornado of yellowtail barracuda and trevally before hovering beside giant sea fans waiting for a whale shark to appear. On another day we explored the tunnels of Green Rock, watching titan triggerfish guard their nests and a hawksbill turtle squeeze through the swim‑throughs. Shallow sites like Twins and Japanese Garden were perfect for practising buoyancy among lazy batfish and seahorses. After diving it’s back to Sairee Beach for sunset pad Thai and a cold beer. The island’s diving scene is busy but well organised, and it’s hard to beat the warm, blue water and relaxed vibe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diving in Koh Tao
When is the best time to dive on Koh Tao?
February to September offers calm seas, little rain and the clearest water. March–May is peak whale shark season. October to January brings wind and rain but sheltered bays still offer decent diving with fewer crowds.
What marine life can I see?
Expect schools of barracuda and trevally, batfish, snappers, reef sharks, turtles, stingrays and macro critters like seahorses, nudibranchs and boxer shrimp. Whale sharks are occasional visitors from March to May.
Is Koh Tao suitable for beginners?
Yes. Many sites have gentle slopes and little current, making the island a popular place to learn to dive. More challenging pinnacles like Chumphon and Southwest are suited to advanced divers.
How many dive sites are there around Koh Tao?
There are more than 20 named sites around the island, with additional reefs and wrecks accessible by day trips to nearby Sail Rock and Ang Thong Marine Park.
Do I need to bring my own gear?
Dive centres provide well‑maintained rental equipment. If you have a favourite mask or fins, bring them for comfort.
Can I see whale sharks?
Whale sharks are never guaranteed, but sightings occur most often between March and May at deep pinnacles like Chumphon and Southwest.